Wednesday, 28 November 2012

Homepage Work

Two of us have been working on the homepage for our artist whilst the other are completing the editing task. I like working on the homepage because it means that we get to help give our artist a star image through the different fonts, layouts, written work and images. This time around I wrote out the bio for it:



I grew up in a small town in Northern Ireland and was very detached from any mainstream multimedia or any real access to go out and have a good time. This meant that because I was so distanced from any kind of opportunities to go out and make something of myself,  I had to find my own sound individually. I sand every day and knew that if I loved it that much it was worth making a go of it! I always had a desire to perform and broaden my horizon so as soon as I was 18 I moved to London and got a job as a waitress which, although wasn’t very great paid for my singing lessons and kept me going whilst I tried to find a more suitable job for what I wanted to do. I learnt eventually that, you just have to put yourself out there and go for it! So I went for loads of tedious auditions which I really didn’t care about but I knew it would be the best thing to do because not only did it give me practice but also experience. I then started to get little jobs like backing vocals for some singers and then one day after lots of backing vocal jobs, I got a job singing in a jazz club which was perfect for me. I think it was the best job I ever had! I worked there for 4 months and after not too long got picked up by a record label that changed my life. It was the best thing that’s ever happened to me and I’ve had so much fun producing my own songs and working with new and exciting people, travelling all over the world and experiencing new things. If there’s anything I would ever recommend it’s to always go for things in life and don’t hang back because you can achieve anything if you have the right mind set.

Tuesday, 27 November 2012

Research and Planning Powerpoint... Plus The Parts Which Wouldn't Save As A Prezi



Wednesday, 21 November 2012

Write Up Of Shoot Day

Write up of Shoot Day

            Before the day of our music video my group and I were nervous and although we had done everything felt uneasy and naturally unprepared. We didn’t really need to set up anything major because our set was outside and could only be done the next day when we were having a break from filming in the studio. Instead we had to make sure that we had all of the right props and that our actors were still breathing. One thing which we were all very apprehensive about was the inflatables. We had ordered in a lot of inflatables of different shape, size and colour and had absolutely no idea what they looked like, or whether they would look any good in the studio. When it came to setting them up all went very smoothly. Because we are not at an age where we are allowed to use the electronic equipment, one of the guys who was comfortable with the technical side, hung them up for us and all we had to do was direct them where to go. When we finally put the lights in and selected which one we wanted where we blew them up and saw what they looked like and the results were very pleasing. All we had to do after that was ensure we had champagne flutes and masks for our extras.
    On the morning of our shoot I felt really excited and sure of everything we were doing. We were really well prepared when it came to our actresses, lead singer and extras. However we were told a week before our shoot that the two girls we wanted to use as our main characters were unavailable and there was absolutely no way we could use them which was incredibly annoying. We found two other girls who we liked but not everyone in our group felt 100%, so thankfully we were allowed our two original girls again which was really lucky. We had to make sure that Franny (our lead singer) had all the clothes she needed as well as hair and make up looking how we wanted it to. When it came to costume there was a slight dilemma; one girl in our year had promised us that we could borrow her fur coat, and even though we had double checked with her the day before, on the morning of the shoot we went up to her and asked for it and she told us she wanted to wear it. This was really frustrating because there wasn’t anything we had done wrong and nothing that we could do to solve the problem so instead we had to go ahead without it. It worked out in the end.
The studio was lit up with inflatables against black which gave it a very space-like feel to it. It looked really cool and meant that we hardly had to use any lighting and the group as a whole was all round impressed. We split up our roles and generally switched but more or less stayed the same throughout the day; I was the director, Charlie and Bel were on the camera and Charlotte was on playback. This worked fine and there were no arguments or disagreements. Our lead singer worked so well and was no fuss whatsoever. Our actresses as well, even in the freezing cold didn’t complain one bit.
            We had two major problems in the day, one of which was solved and the other didn’t really resolve itself. Our main guy Freddie had left his suit at his boarding house which meant that Luke had to drive us back to go and get it. But the main problem was the fact that we only had an hour and half shooting time of the masquerade ball. Our actors were absolutely freezing and were wearing dresses because they were supposed to be at a ball. I felt so guilty and inconsiderate so there was no way we could let them stay on after school hours. This effectively meant that we hadn’t recorded an essential part of our music video as we didn’t have enough time to film all we needed. 
Even though we weren’t able to film a lot of what we wanted or needed, it looked really good on the camera and everyone worked so well together that it didn’t really seem to be an issue (even though it is). The one major problem which I’m a little nervous about is the fact that we’ve probably not got a very good plot line due to having had to miss a lot of it out. It’s something that I’m nervous about editing. However besides from the story line I’m excited to edit all of it as it looked really good. I had a really good day.

Wednesday, 7 November 2012

07/11/12

I was thinking about a good way which we could shoot the 'lesbian' scene and how we could make it sexy yet classy and fun at the same time. I was browsing through films and clips on YouTube when I remembered The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. In this film there is a scene in which Lisbeth is at a bar on her own and sees a girl she fancies across the room. The girls see each other and the noise and people around them are drowned out through the medium close up cross cutting from the girl at the bar to Lisbeth.

Tuesday, 6 November 2012

Shot List

Shot List



Scene Shot Shot SizeDurationLocationDescription
Studio Lipsync Fran Sync ECU face ECU 04:43:00 Studio Lip sync with inflatables in studio for whole song. Possibly coloured lighting - progressing from serious and sexy to happy
Studio Lipsync Fran Sync ECU face CU 04:43:00 Studio Lip sync with inflatables in studio for whole song. Possibly coloured lighting - progressing from serious and sexy to happy
Studio Lipsync Fran Sync MS dance / body MS 04:43:00 Studio Lip sync with inflatables in studio for whole song. Possibly coloured lighting - progressing from serious and sexy to happy
Studio Lipsync Fran Sync CU 04:43:00 Studio Lip sync with inflatables in studio for whole song. Possibly coloured lighting - progressing from serious and sexy to happy
Studio Lipsync Fran Sync MS 04:43:00 Studio Lip sync with inflatables in studio for whole song. Possibly coloured lighting - progressing from serious and sexy to happy
Studio Lipsync Fran Sync wide shot of her LS Studio Lip sync with inflatables in studio for whole song. Possibly coloured lighting - progressing from serious and sexy to happy
Studio Lipsync Fran Sync side shot of face CU Studio Lip sync with inflatables in studio for whole song. Possibly coloured lighting - progressing from serious and sexy to happy
Studio Lipsync Fran medium shot walking wandering around the studio
Balcony Party Leah sitting on a bench LS 00:00:15 BALCONY Shot of Leah sitting on a bench, with her friend. She's not involved in friends conversation but instead we see her eyeing Layla up.
Balcony Party Leah sitting on a bench MS 00:00:05 BALCONY BENCH Leah watching Layla with a champage flute, admiring her
Balcony Party Layla on outskirts of party talking to someone LS BALCONY (Point of view shot) Audience sees what Leah sees, Layla is laughing and flirting with her friends
Balcony Party Leah sitting on a bench MS 00;0005 BALCONY BENCH Leah is looking at Layla intently, blushing
Balcony Party Layla on outskirts of party talking to someone MS 00;0005 BALCONY Layla turns around to see Leah looking at her
Balcony Party Leah sitting on a bench MS 00:00:03 BALCONY BENCH Leah's eyes widen as she sees that Layla has turned around to look at her
Balcony Party Layla turns around CU 00:00:06 BALCONY Layla is smiling at Leah
Balcony Party Leah sitting on a bench ECU 00:00:02 BALCONY BENCH Leah stays looking at her in a sexul way
Balcony Party Layla starts to move towards Leah ELS 00:00:05 BALCONY Layla moves towards Leah - wide shot to see all of her friends notice her leaving the group
Balcony Party Leah on bench/Layla comes into shot to bench MS 00:00:03 BALCONY BENCH Camera watches as Leah acknowledges Layla walking towards her by moving her eyes and head - LAYLA COMES INTO THE SAME SHOT
Balcony Leah and Layla get up LS 00:00:06 BALCONY Leah and Layla look at each other and get up without speaking. They walk away from the group holding hands
Balcony Shot of Crowd CU 00:00:06 BALCONY Shot of crowds hands in the air
Balcony Shot of Crowd CU 00:00:04 BALCONY Shot of crowds faces and hair moving to music
Balcony Shot of Crowd CU 00:00:04 BALCONY People havent seemed to have notice that they've gone - music gets more dancey people dancing
Balcony Leah and Layla MS 00:00:05 WALL Leah and Layla spin round, Leah pushes Layla up against the wall and kisses her neck
Balcony Leah and Layla MS 00:00:05 WALL Leah is kissing layla's neck and they stop - hear people are coming and layla pulls her hand and takes her off to the WOODS
BALCONY lipsync Fran sync gazebo ELS 04:43:00 Balcony lip syncings standing in front of the gazebo with the inflatables and masked peeps in show…
BALCONY lipsync Fran sync gasebo MS 04:43:00 Balcony Lip syncing standing in front. Closer mid shot of body
BALCONY lipsync Fran sync Gazebo CU 04:43:00 Balcony bokeh of inflatables. 50mm lens looking gooood.
BALCONY lipsync fran sync gazebo MS 04:43:00 Balcony sitting or lying in the gazebo, possibly a more thoughtful expression on .
Wood Leah and Layla MS 00:00:04 WOODS Layla and Leah running through woods, Layla running in front of her pulling her behind her
Balcony Crowd CU 00:00:03 BALCONY Everyone dancing and jumping in the air, shot of their upper bodies and necks
Wood Leah and Layla MS WOODS Leah and Layla run past people with masks
Balcony Crowd LS BALCONY People start having food fight and throw cake, drink, at each other (EDITED IN SLO-MO)

Schedule Sheet

We created a copy of our shooting schedule in order to have some rough idea of what we will be doing, and when on the day. We understand that it will probably not completely follow this pattern exactly, but to have a rough guideline is still very important.

TIMESCALE OF THE SHOOTING SCHEDULE
9:15: EVERYONE MEET IN FILMING ROOM
9:20: COLLECT CAMERAS AND TRIPODS
9:25: EVERYONE IN STUDIO- MEET CAST (FRAN)
9:30: PREPARED STUDIO (INFLATABLE LIGHTS)
9:35: RUN THROUGH SONG LIP SYNC
9:50: TALK TO FRAN ABOUT FIRST DIRECTIONS FOR FIRST VERSE
10:00: FIRST TAKE (UP TO BRIDGE)
10:20: SECOND TAKE
10:40: BREAK
10:50: BACK TO STUDIO/ TALK TO FRAN ABOUT CHORUS
11:00: SHOOT CHORUS (LIP SYNCING)
11:20: SECOND TAKE (IF MISTAKES)
11:40: TALK TO FRAN ABOUT SECOND VERSE AND CHORUS
11:55: SHOOT SECOND PART OF THE SONG
12:45: LUNCH
1:30: MEET BACK IN STUDIO
1:40: RETAKE ANY MISTAKES FOR THE SECOND PART OF THE SONG
2:30: BREAK
3:00: MEET IN STUDIO AND PACK UP
3:20: MOVE UP TO HURTWOOD AND SET UP LIGHTS AND SET
4:00: MEET OTHER CAST MEMBERS AND TALK THEM THROUGH WHAT WE WANT
4:20: SHOOT FIRST VERSE AND CHORUS
4:35: RESHOOT IF MISTAKES
4:50: SHOOT SECOND PART
5:10: SEND CAST HOME AND SHOOT IN THE WOODS WITH LAYLA AND LEAH
6:00: FINISH SHOOT

Update

Here is a draft of the email we sent to our cast list to ensure that they had/have everything ready for music video next week. Including, hair, make up and costume.
The rest of our cast, ie our extras, have already been informed of what they need to wear and do and what times they will be required.

Hey guys,
As you know you have been cast in our music video so here is the costume list:
FRAN: -A mesh leotard (with the mesh going down the middle) if not bring something similar which is hot but has to be a leotard
-Black american disco pants (like the american apparal ones) if you can't find any of these bring in similar if possible (leather pants)
- Fur coat (a dark colour)
- Black Boot Heels (it would be good if you could try and find these in your size)
- BRING LOTS OF JEWELLERY (bling/big/ but classy at the same time)
Makeup: Smokey eyes (big) , Red lipstick
Hair: Straight and messy
LEAH AND LAYLA: - Black dresses (Layla your one from prom and Leah the one that you told Cook about)
- Heels (you can choose)
- Bring in stuff like you would if you were going out (any small simple jewellery, rings etc)
- We dont really want you guys wearing coats but bring something like a shawl or something which will not cover the dresses too much but will keep you warm
Makeup: You can choose but girly and pretty please
Hair: Down in any style (sorry we are being brief)
This is what you guys will need to have for the shoot, if you could bring in as much as your own that would be easier for us but if you need us to get anything please email back so we can sort it out.
Hopefully this is enough time for you guys as you have the weekend to get stuff if you are going home,
Thankyou very much !!!
See you Thursday (you need to get blue cards aswell)
Bel, Cook, George & Charlie x

Monday, 5 November 2012

Homepage


This is a very well laid out homepage. It has different and easily accesible sections of the page, allowing audiences to see her music, video's of her, photos and history of her life. However I don't find this page a very inspirational one as it's quite bare and dull and quite uninventive. Not something I would like to replicate.



Really like this particular homepage, its simplistic and subtle but the video bang centre of the page allows fans to watch and listen to his music, exhibiting his identity and his sound. It has simple sections top of the page which allows fans to check out his tour, merchandise, tracks and also to contact him.

Nature of Working With A Night Shoot

When it came to researching our night shoot there were a couple of things that we missed out accidentally, one of which was the temperature levels and how that would affect our cast.

It came to shooting our night shots at which time the sun was setting so around 3pm we had pretty much set everything up in preparation for night to fall. Although the shots proved very slick and beautiful especially in the dark, the extras were freezing, many of which were only in a dress.

We had to be fair to our cast member and couldn't run the risk of letting them catch a cold or anything worse which prevented us from keeping them for too long.

This meant that we had to allow them to leave early which unfortunately meant that we couldn't get all of the shots that we wanted. We felt so bad for them that we had to give them their coats which disrupted the filming because people were less willing to cooperate.

Health and safety

Health and Safety

On location (top car park)

1.      The cast have coats on set so when not on film they can stay warm
2.      Darkness-make sure we have lit the grass area
3.      Mud- Make sure people have safe shoes and the girls heels aren’t to big
4.       

In the studio

1.      All the wires for the camera are tapes down to the floor
2.      Make sure all the lights are secure
3.      All the cast and crew know where all the fire exits are


Hazzard

HAZARD
PERSONS WHO MAY BE HARMED
PROPERTY WHICH MAY BE DAMAGED
RISK CONTROLS ALREADY IN PLACE
RISK ASSESMENT HIGH/LOW/MODERATE
FURTHER ACTION REQUIRED TO CONTROL RISK
The darkness (filming from 4-6)
All cast members in the masked ball on the lawn
The inflatable lights
All cast must listen to the orders set and follow everything the directors say
Moderate
When cast are not needed they can wait inside reception in the light
Mud
People slipping on the grass
The inflatable lights and people can twist ankles or slip over
Wear suitable footwear
High
n/a
Coldness
People freezing
n/a
Cardigans or shawls
low
n/a